In the IPL, every move looks simple from the outside. But inside Chennai Super Kings, nothing happens without strategy. And once again, MS Dhoni has quietly pulled off a masterstroke — this time involving Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.
The decision to release Pathirana ahead of the IPL 2026 auction stunned many fans, but when you break it down, the logic — and Dhoni’s planning — becomes crystal clear.
🔻 Pathirana’s Dip in Form: The Starting Point of Dhoni’s Decision
For two seasons, Pathirana was CSK’s x-factor.
But the last one and a half years have been tough for him.
His once-deadly yorkers lost their accuracy, the line and length became inconsistent, and the economy kept climbing — something CSK simply cannot ignore.
His numbers from last season tell the story plainly:
- Matches: 12
- Wickets: 13
- Economy: 10.13
- Impact: Minimal in crunch overs
For a bowler who was once known as “Baby Malinga,” these numbers were a warning sign.
Dhoni saw the decline early, and that played a huge part in CSK’s decision-making.
🔥 Nathan Ellis — The Real Reason Pathirana Wasn’t a Certain Starter
While Pathirana’s form was falling, another name was quietly rising inside the CSK camp: Nathan Ellis.
Ellis has been one of the most underrated T20 bowlers in the world. His career economy — 7.86 — speaks volumes about his control.
And whenever he has faced Indian batters, he has made them uncomfortable.
Even top players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have struggled against his sharp angles and variations.
Dhoni doesn’t sit on talent.
He recognises it early.
And he knew that Ellis was simply too good to keep warming the bench.
With Ellis around, Pathirana was no longer a guaranteed starter in CSK’s XI.
For a franchise that plans every piece of its puzzle, this created a huge strategic shift.
💰 Saving ₹13 Crore: The Real Smartness Behind Dhoni’s Call
Pathirana was costing CSK a massive ₹13 crore.
And if he isn’t a certain starter, blocking that much purse value makes no sense — not to a team as financially smart as CSK.
So what did Dhoni do?
He made the toughest call: Release him now.
But the genius lies here 👇
Pathirana’s market value has dropped due to:
- Poor economy
- Lack of consistency
- Reduced match-winning impact
In the auction, demand for him won’t be the same.
This allows CSK to buy him back at a much lower price, strengthening their purse and improving squad balance at the same time.
This is the exact kind of forward-thinking Dhoni is known for.
🧠 A Classic Dhoni Move: Emotionless but Perfectly Calculated
Dhoni has always been clear — he trusts performance, not reputation.
And he reads the game several steps ahead.
Releasing Pathirana may look like a shocking decision to fans, but it is built on:
✔️ Real-time form
✔️ Squad balance
✔️ Auction strategy
✔️ Long-term planning
It also protects CSK financially while keeping the option open to get Pathirana back cheaper.
This is the type of move only Dhoni can make — quiet, simple on the surface, but absolutely brilliant when understood fully.
Matheesha Pathirana is still a talented bowler and may bounce back. But with Dhoni, it’s never about emotion — it’s about timing, planning, and value.
By releasing him now, CSK have:
- Opened up ₹13 crore
- Unlocked a spot for Nathan Ellis
- Kept the option open to reacquire Pathirana cheaper
- Strengthened their flexibility for the IPL 2026 auction
Once again, it looks like Dhoni has seen what others missed.
And that’s why this move — just like many others in his career — will be remembered as a masterstroke.